Carcass minerals in chickens (Gallus domesticus) during growth

Moisture, sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphate and magnesium were determined in the carcass of male chickens (Gallus domesticus) between the ages of 1 and 70 days. Moisture decreased rapidly during the first 3 days of life, followed by a more moderate decline. Sodium and potassium concentrations decreased with age, but not in a parallel fashion. Some of the changes with age could be explained on the basis of an extra- and intracellular fluid shifts. Calcium and phosphate concentration increased with age, reflecting skeletal calcification. Carcass magnesium concentration increased during the first 3 days of life and did not change significantly thereafter.